Agenda Item 2__
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Monday 02 February 2015 at the
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00am.
Members Present:
Mr B Cabbell Manners
Mr T FitzPatrick
Mr J Lee
Mr W Northam
Mr R Oliver
Mr G Williams
Also attending:
Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds
Mr G Jones
Mrs A Moore
Mr P W Moore
Officers in
Attendance:
100.
Mr R Reynolds
Mr R Shepherd
Mr N Smith
The Corporate Director (SB), the Head of Finance, the Head of Assets
and Leisure, the Head of Economic Development and Communities,
the Economic Development Manager, the Policy and Performance
Management Officer, and the Democratic Services Team Leader
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
101.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th January 2015 were approved as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman
102.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Mr D Bailey, on behalf of Cromer Youth Football Club. The Chairman said that
Agenda Item 16: Proposed Cromer Community Sports Pitch Facility – Site Appraisal
Process’ would be brought forward on the agenda and Mr Bailey’s question would be
dealt with prior to consideration of the report.
103.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None received
104.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr B Cabbell Manners declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 16 as Cromer l
Estate owned some of the sites specified within the report.
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02 February 2015
105.
MEMBER QUESTIONS
The Leader confirmed that Members could ask questions as each item arose.
106.
CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE CABINET BY THE
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL FOR
RECONSIDERATION
None
107.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE
None
108.
PROPOSED CROMER COMMUNITY SPORTS PITCH FACILITY – SITE FACILITY
Please note this item was brought forward on the agenda to allow for public
questions.
The Leader introduced this item. He began by inviting Mr D Bailey to speak. Mr
Bailey said that he was Vice-chairman of Cromer Youth Football Club and he wanted
to thank Councillor J Lee for getting the club their first proper home. At present there
were between 160 – 170 children playing on just 2 pitches and the club had been
campaigning for a long time for proper facilities. He said that this was a special
occasion and the club would work alongside the residents of Cromer to ensure that
the new facilities would benefit everybody.
Members were invited to speak:
1. Mrs A Arnold commented that this was the first notification she had of the
proposals. Two of the suggested sites were within her ward and although she
was personally supportive, she felt that some local people may have concerns.
Mr T FitzPatrick replied that this was just a list of potential sites and was only at
the appraisal stage. He went onto say that providing proper facilities for the youth
of Cromer had been a priority of the current administration. He was keen that the
terms of the original trust deed were recognised and enacted so that a space
could be provided that would benefit all the people of Cromer.
2. Mr B Cabbell Manners said that when hi Great Grandmother had made the
legacy, the situation had been very different. It was important that the new site
was for everyone not just adults and this was an opportunity to reinstate the
meaning and terms of the original donation. Mr T FitzPatrick added that the
original donation was made just after the First World War and this was an
opportunity to provide a very fitting war memorial by enhancing the original
bequest.
Mr J Lee said that he was delighted to second the proposal. He was hopeful that a
suitable site would be identified. He had been working on finding a home for Cromer
youth for over 10 years and it was important to remember that this was a sports pitch
facility and was not just for football.
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick, seconded by Mr J Lee and
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02 February 2015
RESOLVED
To approve the shortlist of four sites considered to have potential to accommodate
the proposed community sports pitch facilities as the basis for public consultation.
Reason for the decision:
To put forward sites to accommodate a new community sports pitch facility in Cromer
to enable public consultation before further detailed appraisal.
109.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE QUARTER 3 2014/15
The Leader introduced this item. He explained that it gave a third quarter progress
report of the performance of the Council. It also reported delivery of the Annual
Action Plan 2014/15 and the achievement of targets. Mr FitzPatrick said that the
majority of targets in the Annual Action Plan were on track and performance was
being closely monitored where issues or problems had been identified. He concluded
by saying that the delivery of the Annual Action Plan was progressing well.
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick, seconded by Mr R Oliver and
RESOLVED
To note the report, welcome the progress being made and endorse the actions laid
out in Appendix 1 being taken by management where there are areas of concern.
Reason for the decision:
To ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved.
110.
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2015-16
The Leader introduced this item. He explained that this was the fourth Annual Action
Plan (AAP) designed to deliver the Corporate Plan 2012-15. It built on and developed
further the work of the previous Annual Action Plans. He concluded by saying that
some of the activities had already been completed and therefore these did not
appear in the AAP. Others would still be in the process of being delivered during
2015/16 or were always designed to be long-term activities.
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick, seconded by Mr G Williams and
RESOLVED
to approve the Annual Action Plan 2015-16 and the targets and recommendations for
performance indicators as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.
111.
2015/16 BUDGET REPORT
Mr W Northam, Portfolio Holder for Finance, introduced this item. He explained that
the report presented for approval the 2015/16 budget together with the latest financial
projections for the following 3 years to 2018/19. He thanked the Head of Finance and
her team for all their hard work, saying that it was a great achievement to present a
balanced budget with a surplus whilst maintaining a 0% increase in council tax – for
the 4th year running.
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02 February 2015
Mr Northam said that the proposals within the report were based on figures from 18th
December 2014. The final figures would be known later in February and
consequently he would make a full report on the Budget at the Council meeting on
25th February.
Mr R Reynolds commented that he was pleased to see such a healthy surplus.
Mr T FitzPatrick congratulated Mr Northam and the Finance team on their continued
hard work. He said that the 0% increase in council tax actually amounted to a
reduction in real terms.
Mr G Williams said he was pleased to support the proposals. This report was one of
a suite of reports that had come before Cabinet, all of them showing the prudent use
of resources.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr G Williams and
RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
The 2015/16 revenue budget as outlined at Appendix A;
The surplus of £462,424 be allocated to the general reserve and restructuring
and invest to save reserve as outlined at section 5.8 in the reports;
The demand on the Collection Fund, subject to any amendments as a result
of final precepts still to be received be:
a.
£5,307,071 for District purposes
b.
£1,716,441 (subject to confirmation of the final precepts) for
Parish/Town Precepts;
The statement of and movement on the reserves as detailed at Appendix E;
The updated Capital Programme and financing for 2014/15 to 2017/18 as
detailed at Appendix F;
The new capital bids as detailed at Appendix G;
The prudential indicators as included at Appendix H;
That members note the current financial projections for the period 2016/17 to
2018/19.
Reasons for the decision:
To recommend a balanced budget for 2015/16 for approval by Council on 25
February 2015.
112.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT 2015/16
The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Mr W Northam, presented this item.
He explained that the report set out the details of the Council’s treasury management
activities and presented a strategy for the prudent investment of the Council’s surplus
funds. Mr Northam went onto say that the Council was currently debt free and its
financing plans did not anticipate any external borrowing requirement over the
forecast period. The Council had an average balance of £27.6m invested to 31
December 2014. This represented income in advance of expenditure, plus balances
and reserves held. An average balance of £19.4m was anticipated in 2015/16.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr B Cabbell Manners and
RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
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That The Treasury Management Strategy Statement is approved.
Reasons for the decision:
To provide the Council with a flexible treasury strategy enabling it to respond to
changing market conditions and ensure the security of its funds.
113.
ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP) UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2015
Mr R Oliver, Portfolio Holder for Assets introduced this item. He said that the Asset
Management Plan (AMP) outlined the strategic framework within which the Coucnil
managed its property portfolio. It was vital that the plan remained current and was
kept updated as it played a key role in meeting the Council’s forecast deficit. It was
also important to ensure it reflected the needs of the community.
It was proposed by Mr R Oliver, seconded by Mr B Cabbell Manners and
RESOLVED to
1.
2.
Note the contents of the report and the updates to the AMP 2014/15 –
2016/17.
Considers the capital bid in relation to the AMP included within the 2015/15
budget report contained elsewhere on the agenda.
Reasons for the decision:
Provision of the relevant capital budgets will enable the Council’s property portfolio to
be enhanced to ensure that the assets remain fit for purpose in relation to service
provision and also that their income generating capacity is protected and enhanced
wherever possible, ensuring value for money for the tax payer. The asset portfolio
has a key role to play in helping to meet the budget deficit forecast for future years by
not only improving efficiency but also by increasing income streams and continued
capital investment in the portfolio will help to ensure that this opportunity is
maximised.
114.
PARTNERSHIP OF MARITIME AUTHORITIES IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK
The Leader introduced this item in the absence of the Portfolio Holder, Mrs A FitchTillett. He explained that approval was sought for the principle of a coastal
management partnership with other local maritime authorities to work together to
develop a partnership model for delivering a coastal management service for the
Council and neighbouring coastal authorities. Mr FitzPatrick went onto say that the
partnership would enable neighbouring authorities to work together and share
resources as there was limited experience and expertise in the specialist sector of
coastal management. It was intended to provide a holistic approach to coastal
management for the whole of the east coast.
Mr G Williams said that working together would create a powerful voice for the
region.
Mrs A Moore said that it was a very logical step to take.
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick, seconded by Mr J Lee and
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02 February 2015
RESOLVED
To agree the principle of relevant maritime local authorities (NNDC, Waveney District
Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the
Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk), working together to develop a
suitable partnership model towards the establishment of a shared coastal
management service; and for this to be brought before the Council for detailed
consideration (by each council) later this year (targeted for late summer 2015).
Reasons for the decision:
To plan for an effective and sustainable way of continuing to deliver a robust coastal
management service for North Norfolk.
115.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS
Mr R Oliver, Portfolio Holder for Assets introduced this item. He said that the report
outlined a proposal to install electric vehicle charging points in selected locations in
the District and sought Cabinet’s agreement to proceed with a business case to
inform future recommendations. Mr Oliver went onto say that he had been keen to
progress this issue since he joined Cabinet. He strongly believed that the future for
cars was electronic and this was borne out by the sale of 16 electric cars at
Greenbuild in 2014. He concluded by saying that he hoped it would set the
foundations for bringing electric charging points to all of the market towns across
North Norfolk, eventually enabling free travel across the region. Taking a proactive
approach would ensure that the Council was ahead of the game.
Members were invited to ask questions:
1. Mrs S Arnold said that she believed electric cars would be the norm in a few
years time. She has seen a similar scheme for electric bikes in Somerset and
this could also be worth considering.
2. Mr R Reynolds said that a huge upturn in the sale of electric cars was anticipated
from 2017 onwards.
3. Mr P W Moore said that he supported the principle but had some concerns that
electric cars would need to be recharged regularly. Mr T FitzPatrick replied that
he had been advised that if they were driven carefully, a driver could expect to
achieve 120 miles a time. He reminded members that London buses were now
electric.
It was proposed by Mr R Oliver, seconded by Mr G Williams and
RESOLVED
To note the report and gives officers further instructions in relation to this project.
Reasons for the decision:
To obtain clarification regarding the Council’s aspirations in relation to the potential
future installation of EVCPs within the district.
The Meeting closed at 10.29 am
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02 February 2015
_______________
Chairman
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02 February 2015